Yoga Life - Yoga - Studio Deerwood

Sara Torbett, OTRL/CHT, E-RYT 200 Owner of Yoga Life Studio

"It is my passion to help others achieve optimal health through the healing and energizing practice of yoga."

Sara is the owner and founder of Yoga Life Studio. Sara founded Yoga Life Studio in 2004 out of her deep desire to help others achieve balance and wellness through the ancient science of yoga.

Sara is a 200 hour certified yoga instructor in Power Vinyasa and Mind Body yoga. Sara most recently trained with Dave Swenson and completed a 40 HR Ashtanga Teacher Training. She recently ended her 10 year professional career as an Occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist to pursue her yogic studies and develop her yoga studio. Her diverse background as an OT, professional ballroom instructor, and gymnast have really helped her develop a holistic, well rounded approach to yoga. Sara has trained with many yoga masters including: Dave Swenson, Doug Swenson, Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest, Natasha Rizopoulos, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Manju Jois and Tim Feldmann. Sara's yoga style is spiritual, powerful and very healing to the mind and body as she incorporates healing sounds through music and chanting,aromatherapy and gentle touch to create a soothing environment conducive for healing and balancing the body, mind and soul. Sara just released her new Yoga DVD for Pregnancy "Prenatal Yoga Flow" which can be purchased online, at the studio, or at lululemon athletica at St. John's Town Center Mall. Sara has been practicing Vinyasa and Ashtanga Style yoga for over 8 years now and currently co-Directs the Yoga Life 250 Hr Ashtanga/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Program. She has also been chosen to be an ambassador for lululemon athletica where she will be hosting special yoga community events to bring awareness of this great practice to Jacksonville residents.

Ellen Schaefer, RYT 200

Assistant Manager and Instructor

Ellen is a 200 hour registered yoga instructor specializing in Vinyasa and Ashtanga. She has been teaching since 1999. A former computer programmer, telecommunications engineer, dance instructor, and aerobics instructor, Ellen now enjoys being a stay at home mom for her two boys and teaching yoga classes. She has studied several other styles as well (Bikram, Anusara, and Kundalini) and enjoys taking workshops from local teachers as well as from master teachers at yoga conferences.

Kristine Sandkuehler-Mensch, RYT

"Yoga has been my island of peace in the craziness of everyday’s life since 2001. My teaching goal is to assist others in finding the same harmony and peace in their life as I find every time when I return to the mat."

Since moving to Florida from her home country Germany in summer 2007 Kristine has had much more time to focus on Yoga not only as a practice but also a philosophy and way of life. She completed Yoga Life’s 250-hour Teacher Training Program in Fall 2008 and has had the privilege of studying with and attending workshops from, among others, Sara Torbett, Sati Chmelar, Doug Swenson, and Tim Feldmann.

Keri Robinson

Keri began her journey to yoga almost 10 years ago, trying a variety of types of yoga before finding her way to Ashtanga when she began training with Sati Chemmlar. Her practice…and her mat…have become her personal sanctuary in an otherwise hectic world. Keri completed the Yoga Life 250 Hour teacher training with a focus on Ashtanga yoga. She has had the privilege of studying with Sati, Sara Torbett, Greg Nardi and David Keil and looks forward to sharing her experiences and her journey through yoga with everyone she can.

Kelli Paugh

Kelli Paugh graduated from Yoga Life's 250-hour Teacher Training program in January 2010. She has attended several workshops, including a yoga anatomy workshop by David Keil, an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga instructor authorized by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and a yoga sutras workshop by Greg Nardi of the Miami Life Center. Kelli has also completed a workshop in Thai Yoga Massage given by Sati Chmelar of The Yoga Shala in Orlando, and an arm-balance workshop by Sara Torbett, director and owner of Yoga Life. Although a relatively new practitioner to Ashtanga yoga, Kelli is excited for the opportunity to be a teacher at Yoga Life and is always looking for ways to share what she has learned and expand her yoga vocabulary.

Mary Morcom, RYT

Mary “Mohini” Morcom has been practicing yoga since 2005 and in 2008 completed Yoga Life’s 250-hour Teacher Training Program and a 40-hour Ashtanga Teacher Training with David Swenson. Mary has had the privilege of studying with and attending workshops from, among others, Sara Torbett, Sati Chmelar, Adrienne Reed, Manju Jois, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Tim Miller and Tim Feldmann. Her love of yoga came as a natural extension of a lifetime exploration of movement and the mind-body connection through dance. Before practicing yoga, Mary studied dance for over twenty years and has danced professionally with the Colorado Ballet, Ballet Austin and Tapestry Dance Company. Mary is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas School of Law. She is currently practicing law in Jacksonville with a focus in commercial real estate matters while maintaining a consistent yoga practice. Her yoga practice helps her find balance and a sense of calm throughout the hustle and bustle of her professional life, a gift she hopes to bestow to others through her teaching.

Tricia Cox, RYT

""As a yoga teacher I strive to give my students a better connection with their body and mind. I hope to create an environment for self discovery and a place for understanding their own unique purpose in life"."

200 Hour Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance in Mind Body and Power Yoga. Tricia recently left her advertising career to pursue her yogic studies and continues to give her students a holistic approach to health and fitness.

Pam Chapman

Pam was first introduced to yoga while recovering from a running injury several years ago by one of the members of her local gym. She instantly became hooked to Yoga as she saw the quick results she experienced in her own body. Pam has been an advid yoga practitioner for 9 years and began teaching Yoga in 2002. Pam has completed Level 1 and 2 of the Baron Baptiste Teacher Training Program and is currently completing her 3rd segment of the Jonny Kest TT. She has studied with a wide array of Yoga Masters including: Baron Baptiste, Bryan Kest, Jonny Kest, Shiva Rea, Sean Corn and continues to attend workshops/training annually to stay informed and current with any changes to the practice so she can share them with her students. When Pam is not teaching yoga, she also loves to do crossfit, running, weight training and works as a Pediatric Nurse here in Jacksonville, Fl. Pam's classes are high energy, fun, and challenging and if your looking to lose weight, sculpt and tone your body..Pam can help you reach your goals.